Part 2: Asiana Airlines Business Class – Seoul to Sydney
Part 3: Air New Zealand Economy Class – Sydney to Auckland to Christchurch
Part 4: Winetasting in Waipara
Part 5: Exploring Christchurch
Part 6: Air New Zealand Economy Class – Christchurch to Queenstown
Part 7: Winetasting in Otago
Part 8: Exploring Queenstown
Part 9: Hilton Queenstown
Part 10: Overnight in Sydney
Part 11: Singapore Airlines First Class – Sydney to Singapore
Part 12: Singapore Airlines First Class – Singapore to San Francisco
The ride to Sydney Airport from my hotel was the most stressful part of
the day. The shuttle picked up a group
of passengers from the Ibis and headed to the airport in terrible traffic. I don’t know what was going on with everyone
wanting to be on the roads around 7am but it was packed. After a stop at the two domestic terminals, I
eventually got off at the international departures hall. The Singapore Airlines desk was at the far
end of the ticketing counters so I headed all the way over there to
check-in. I arrived a little under two
hours before departure and was the only person in the first class line and was
immediately helped. The process took a
few minutes longer than usual to be sure they had all my passport information
on the computers for my return to the US.
One I received my two boarding passes I was also given an “express” card
for departures through customs and screening.
Again, this area was on the other side of the hall.
The express line uses a different entrance than the regular passengers
and I was in and out quickly with a stamp on my passport and then into security
where I had to go through additional screening.
The Sydney airport has a maze of duty free shops on your way to the
gates, and nothing was cheap. With my
first class tickets I had access to the Sydney Silver Kris Lounge, Singapore
Air’s lounge, which is next door to the Air New Zealand lounge. The greeter was very friendly and handed me
my golden ticket invitation to the Private Room at Singapore Airport. The lounge was on the small size and only 5
other people were inside by the time I left.
They had a few breakfast items as well as refrigerator with
alcohol. I just settled for a bit of
toast before my multi-course breakfast on board.
The boarding area for our gate was very narrow and cramped. Families started boarding first then I was
invited to head down the jet bridge. I
was the first premium passenger to board and when I showed my boarding pass at
the plane door I was escorted to my seat by the flight attendant. She was incredibly polite and even offered to
take my picture when she realized I was taking pictures of the cabin. There were only two other people in the cabin
of eight.
The first class seats are huge. While I find the latest Lufthansa seats to aesthetically look better, these seats are massive. The LED screen is 23” and the seat itself is advertised as the widest first class seat in the world. The width is in the neighborhood of 35” (normal domestic coach seats range between 17” and 18” wide). The plane was a 777-300 which was retrofitted with these newer first class seats. This plane included overhead bins but ample space for carry-ons was available below the footrest shelf. They actually provide a couple pillows on the seat to make it feel less wide.
The first class seats are huge. While I find the latest Lufthansa seats to aesthetically look better, these seats are massive. The LED screen is 23” and the seat itself is advertised as the widest first class seat in the world. The width is in the neighborhood of 35” (normal domestic coach seats range between 17” and 18” wide). The plane was a 777-300 which was retrofitted with these newer first class seats. This plane included overhead bins but ample space for carry-ons was available below the footrest shelf. They actually provide a couple pillows on the seat to make it feel less wide.
Even though it was before 9am I started off with a glass of Dom
Perignon 2003 and when empty my glass was promptly filled without asking. Menus were distributed and breakfast orders
were taken before we took off along with receiving noise cancelling headphones,
slippers, and socks.
Take off was delayed as we waited on the tarmac for our departure
position but once we were rolling down the runway we were quickly
airborne. The seatbelt sign turned off
and the cabin crew started to prep the cabin and our meals. The IFE system was good and easy to navigate
with a healthy variety of movie and TV options to watch. Unfortunately, like Asiana, they only have
the IFE available above 10,000 feet so you cannot watch the airshow or any
program on takeoff or landing.
The flight attendant came by with fresh orange juice along with an
amenity kit and XL pajamas. I also had
to order a mimosa which was promptly delivered.
Breakfast started with a plate of fresh fruit.
Cornflakes and freshly warmed bread was up next.
And the main course consisted of made to order scrambled eggs with
bacon and a potato cake.
After breakfast I asked for the seat to be turned into a bed. These seats require the flight attendants to
pull the back of the seat down as that turns into the flat surface. A mattress pad is laid down plus quite a few
pillows. Singapore Air also carries to
blanket types on board, one heavy and one light. Since I always seem to overheat on a place it
was nice to have a light blanket.
I managed to sleep about four hours.
The bed was actually pretty hard.
The mattress bad felt more like a floor mat with not much support
although the width of the seat made it very comfortable to lay down in. About two hours before landing in Singapore,
the lunch service started with hot towels and then a crab and mango salad. I had a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
with this course.
The main course was a filet with chimichurri salsa and potatoes. The meat was tender and tasty. I was also preemptively asked if I wanted a
glass of red wine with the course and I obliged.
Dessert was a chocolate and caramel cake and mascarpone – very
delicious. And, again they offered me a
glass of Sauternes before I could even ask.
After the meal I enjoyed a glass of Moroccan mint tea watching episodes
of “The Big Bang Theory” and looked out the window as we approached
Singapore. I was surprised at the number
of container and tanker ships in the surrounding waters.
Landing was smooth and we quickly pulled up to the gate. We were able to disembark from the forward
door and head into the airport without passing through any customs or transfer
desk. I had about three hours to before
my next flight and I headed over to the Silver Kris Lounge and the Private
Room. I provided one of the staff my
invitation card and was escorted back through the business lounge and through
the first class lounge into the Private Room.
There were no other passengers in the lounge when I arrived and only a couple
more by the time I left. The facility
was very quiet and relaxing and included soft leather seats, a couple of TV
areas, and dining room. Staff were
attentive and were regularly refilling my water.
